Organist Dennis James to perform; he played at organ’s dedication in 1978.

The Binghamton Theater Organ Society will kick off the 40th anniversary of the Forum’s Robert-Morton theater organ with a concert 3 p.m. Sunday featuring Dennis James.

James performed at the organ’s 1978 dedication concert. He has played around the world, from movie palaces throughout the United States and Canada to concert halls and theaters in Europe and the Far East.

He serves as house organist for Seattle's Paramount Theatre, house organist for the Everett Theatre in Washington state, and theater organist for the San Diego Symphony. He also appears regularly as silent film organist for the Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto, the California Theatre in San Jose, the Castro Theatre in San Francisco, and the Uptown Theatre in Calgary, Canada.

For more than 40 years, James has played a role in the revival of silent films with live music. Beginning as an accompanist for university screenings, he now tours worldwide under his Silent Film Concerts production company with accompaniments ranging from solo piano or theater organ, to chamber ensembles and full symphony orchestras.

Three other concerts are coming up in the BTOS season (all at 2 p.m.).

Dec. 30: A “Mack Sennett Mini Film Fest” with resident theater organist Jim Ford highlights short films from director Mack Sennett, called during his era “The King of Comedy.”

Feb. 10: The 1921 film “The Sheik” starring Rudolph Valentino will get a live improvised score from Ford

April 7: London-born Alex Jones will perform; he recently earned his Master Of Music Degree at Eastman School in Rochester and won 2017’s Best Young Organist Award from the American Theater Organ Society.

The Forum’s Robert-Morton theater organ has four keyboards, a 32-note pedal board and more than 200 controls to play 1,800 pipes built into the venue’s walls.

Tickets for Binghamton Theater Organ Society performances are $20 for adults, $15 for BTOS members and veterans, or $5 for students. Purchase online at binghamtontos.org or at the door. The Forum is located at 236 Washington St. in Binghamton.

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Susan Doubleday in a restored portrait from about 1840. She and husband Dr. Ammi Doubleday, helped to shape the area’s culture in the first half of the 19th century. Broome County Historical Society photo